Getting Rid of Pesky Small Red Ants Once and For All

Understanding Small Red Ants

Small red ants are a common ant species found worldwide. Among the most ubiquitous ants, these tiny insects play a vital role in nature, yet when they invade homes they quickly become a nuisance.

Appearance and Behavior of Small Red Ants

There are over 12,000 known ant species, with red ants belonging to multiple genera. Most small red ants measure between 2 to 6 mm, with reddish brown to deep red coloring on their heads and abdomens. They have a narrow pedicel connecting their thorax and abdomen.

Like other ants, small red ants live in organized colonies with queens, female workers, and males. Colonies work cooperatively, gathering food, excavating nesting spaces, and protecting their home. Their social structure allows them to thrive.

Common Small Red Ant Species

Some of the most common small red ants found worldwide include:

• Pavement ants - Nest outdoors, producing large mounds or living under stones. Invade homes in search of food.
• Pharaoh ants - Nest indoors and outdoors by structures. Become major pests once inside.
• Red ant - Prefer sweet foods. Bite with a painful sting when disturbed.
• Southern fire ants - Build mounds in open fields and meadows, delivering a fiery sting.

The specific small red ant species influences nesting habits, diet, and aggression. Properly identifying them ensures effective control when infestations occur.

Dangers and Problems With Small Red Ants

Left unchecked, small red ants can quickly spiral into a major headache:

Stings and Bites Hurt

While their tiny jaws rarely break skin for a true bite, many small red ants have a painful sting. Fire ants clamp onto skin with sharp mandibles, injecting venom that causes swelling and irritation.

Nests Can Damage Property

Excavating nest tunnels damages plant roots, erodes soil, and weakens structures. Mounds built by pavement ants and southern fire ants ruin landscapes and outdoor spaces.

Food Contamination Causes Health Risks

Red ants contaminate any food they access, posing serious health risks if people unknowingly eat tainted items. Sweet loving sugar ants eagerly invade kitchens once indoors.

Left unrestrained, invading ants threaten safety, property, and food. Acting quickly curtails extensive damage from widespread infestations inside a home or building.

Preventing Small Red Ants

Stopping ants before they become entrenched saves effort down the road. Here are smart tips to deny access and keep populations low outside:

Eliminate Food Sources

Because ants forage for sugary and protein-rich foods, tidy up around the home. Seal trash cans, pick ripe fruit from trees, and correct leaky faucets or pipes. Starve them out.

Plug Access Points

Caulk cracks in foundations, seal openings around windows and doors, and repair damaged vent screens. Don't give ants easy entry past barriers.

Encourage Predators

Welcome ant-eating birds by installing fresh water baths and native plants. Avoid pesticide use so birds, spiders and other predators stick around.

Combining smart exclusion with biological controls minimizes ant populations. But when infestations already exist inside, its time to act.

How to Get Rid of Small Red Ants

Ending a small red ant invasion requires diligence and patience. A two-pronged approach works best:

Kill Existing Colonies

First, kill off ants infesting the home. Locate the colony and exterminate ants directly for immediate relief, then implement systemic bait treatments to eradicate the entire nest:

• Follow ants to find the indoor nest
• Vacuum up roaming ants throughout the home
• Apply liquid ant sprays into nest cracks and entry points
• Use ant gel baits and boric acid powders for colony kill-off

Take Preventative Measures

Second, take prevention steps to discourage future invasions:

• Seal cracks and holes throughout the property
• Trim foliage touching structures
• Ensure proper drainage away from buildings
• Fix leaky pipes and clean up moisture issues

Combining targeted treatments and improved exclusion provides the one-two punch needed to banish small red ants for good.

When to Call for Professional Help

In severe infestations, attempting DIY control wastes valuable time and money. Calling an exterminator makes sense when:

• Ants continue thriving after implementing home treatments
• You discover multiple nests scattered through the property
• Mounds pop up in lawn areas year after year
• Colonies take up residence within walls or under slabs

With professional-grade products, treatment experience, and access to nests, exterminators stop ant infestations at the source. Their warranty provides peace of mind if ants return.

Chemical Treatment Options

Exterminators turn to two categories of chemicals when tackling small red ants:

Contact Insecticides

Sprays and dusts that kill ants on contact for immediate, localized control. Often combined with baits for broad treatment.

Bait Treatments

Boric acid powders, granules, gels and liquid baits that workers eat and share, slowly poisoning the entire colony from inside out.

Advanced chemicals and delivery methods in the hands of a pest control technician provide superior ant eradication. The right choice depends on nest locations and the home.

After completely eliminating an infestation, the exterminator implements preventative measures tailored to keeping your property permanently ant-free.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.